How to Make Ping Pong Paddle Rubber Sticky?

People who play ping pong regularly often know the importance of using a sticky ping pong paddle. Having talent is great with ping pong however it would be better suited for you if you have a ping pong paddle that is sticky.

If you wish to be an aggressive player and wish to take the attack to the opposition you would need the sticky ping pong paddle for your game.

This would allow you to have a good spin along with accuracy and speed that is essential for aggressive playing methods. So, we look at a few methods and ways that can help you keep your rubber sticky and last long at the same time.

Testing Stickiness

In the first place, you would have to test if your racket is sticky enough before you get into the domain of how to make ping pong paddle rubber sticky. There are three conventional methods by which you can test the stickiness of the rubber and they are as follows:

1. Using a paper

This is one of the commonly used techniques that is simple and one that allows you to test the stickiness of the rubber.

Simply stick a paper on the surface of the rubber and try swinging it at different angles that you use while playing a game.

If the paper sticks to the surface and does not come off then you can be assured that you have a sticky ping pong paddle. In case the paper comes off you would have to consider ways that can help make the rubber stickier.

2. Checking With a Ping Pong Ball

This is another method you can find effective for testing the stickiness factor with your paddle. Rub the ball on the surface of the rubber to see if it sticks after you finish rubbing.

If it does then you might not be required to try methods on how to make ping pong paddle rubber sticky. Also, leaving the paddle on a flat surface and letting the ball bounce is another method that is used.

If the bounce is considerably lower, you can be assured that the rubber is sticky enough.

3. Using a Ping Pong Table

Take your paddle to the end of the table and stick it to the surface. If your paddle sticks to the surface and requires a considerable amount of energy to remove it then you have a sticky ping pong paddle.

In case it comes off easily without much force then it is time to consider methods to make it stickier.

With the mentioned methods you get to know if it is the appropriate time to find methods that can improve table tennis rubber.

We have tested a few methods that can help restore sticky rubber effectively. These methods were tested by ping pong players who have been involved with the game for a few years now. They consider these methods to be effective and useful while using aggressive methods.

Their feedback has helped us compile a list of methods to restore sticky rubber so that you may try to get better spin, accuracy, grip, and speed with playing ping pong. These methods would ideally suit anyone who wishes to be competent and effective at playing ping pong.

How to Make Ping Pong Paddle Sticky?

1. Paddle Cleanliness

Anyone who wishes to have a sticky ping pong paddle should take good care of it. This would be the basic thing to try and keep your paddle safe and with essential stickiness.

You may choose to clean the paddle using water, alcohol or other cleaning substances and leave it to dry. This can be used before you start playing and after you complete playing.

2. Using Glue

This is a common method that is used even in tournaments to restore sticky rubber on the ping pong paddle. We have tried a thin layer of glue with exceptional results with regular players.

However, using a light glue is recommended as a thick glue would spoil the rubber and make it difficult to use. Using a thick glue may also lead to disqualification if you are playing in a tournament.

3. Sunflower Oil and Brush

You may have seen that people use different types of oils on the surface of the rubber to have a sticky ping pong paddle. Using sunflower oil along with a brush to distribute the oil to the surface of the rubber is best advised.

You can repeat this method over and over again once the oil on the surface dries up. The players who have used it found it better from other oils when compared to sunflower oil.

4. Butterfly foam

Although this is not used by professional players it can still be a technique you can use to get a sticky ping pong paddle. Squirting a required amount of foam and applying evenly on the rubber and letting it dry is all it takes.

Players consider this to make the paddle both shiny and stickier after trying this out.

5. Boosters

However, if you are to use it for recreational purposes then applying boosters and leaving them to dry for up to 24 hours can increase your speed.

To be super-fast with ping pong you can apply it for the second time and leave it to dry for a minimum of 12 hours before you use the paddle.

6. Cover your Paddle

Some covers are readily available in the market that you can choose to purchase and use. You can enjoy the sticky ping pong paddle better when they are kept covered when not in use.

7. Tackiness Spraying

These sprays are available with leading sports stores. You can choose to purchase and spray them on the surface of the rubber and leave it to dry for up to 24 hours.

It has been proven to improve stickiness and increase the lifespan of the rubber at the same time. Players who used the spray suggest that the quality of the sticky ping pong paddle has increased.

8. Replacing the Rubber

You always have to consider the durability and the lifespan of the rubber. This is because once you have dead rubber no method is going to help you make a sticky ping pong paddle.

You would have to understand that it is high time you choose to have the rubber replaced. Although it may be a costly option you have no better choice if you were to be competent in playing ping pong.

9. Maintain the Paddle

If you are a person wondering how to make a ping pong paddle rubber sticky then you ought to understand the best way to do it would be to maintain it appropriately.

10. Buying a New Paddle

Although all these methods may work to restore sticky rubber there is nothing that can beat the efficiency of a new paddle with its incomparable stickiness.

Anyone who is playing the sport for fun, passion, and recreation can choose to purchase paddles and use the above-mentioned methods to improve stickiness.

All of these methods have been tried by professionals and have proven to improve table tennis rubber and its stickiness. It has also done it without compromising on the quality of the rubber by any means.

In what ways does the stickiness of the rubber on the paddle affect one’s game?

The stickiness of the rubber has a great impact on the accuracy of the shots played. It also affects a person’s ability to be quicker and effective in an aggressive game.

How Often Does One Need to Clean the Rubber on the Paddle?

One can clean one’s paddle after and before using it every time. Apart from that, even if you don’t use it much often and store it at a place, it is wise to clean up the dust from your paddle every alternate day since it will eventually get pretty hard to remove it if dust stays on it for longer.

What Are the Things to Avoid While Cleaning the Ping Pong Paddle Rubber?

Avoid using spin-increasing solutions such as spinmax, or WD-40 as this is something that you may have to use frequently once you use it. Most importantly, using spin solutions is against the TT tournament play guidelines.

When Does the Rubber of the Paddle Require Changing?

Even after using the cleaning methods and sticky methods to get the rubber in shape and if does not work you would need to consider changing the rubber.

Is Changing the Rubber Better Than Changing the TT Paddle Itself?

This is something you would have to work out depending on the costs that are involved with the rubber. Changing the paddle is only required when the handle has issues. If not you can simply consider changing the rubber of the paddle alone.

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